Hi Teresa

The pattern you describe sounds like it would need a degree of drape - that is that the fabric is soft enough to fall away nicely from the tucks and with a stitched hem, not to be all sticky-out and stiff.

So my advice would be to unroll a yard of the fabric you are considering, in the store, and drape it over your arm - does it fall nicely, is it stiff?

If you cannot do this - buying online/mail order and have the option to get samples then try to buy a largish piece (not the little snips for matching colour) try to get a minimum 4" swatch.

Hold the fabric tight in either hand to stretch it square. Move one hand toward you and the other away - note how much twisting it takes for the fabric to buckle - this will give you and idea of how stretchy, soft it is.

This is a great thing to do with any fabric you have at home, you'll soon get a feel for what weights and types do what.

Also scrumple up the fabric in your fist - note how much it creases and whether those creases start to come out themselves or if they'd need to be ironed out.

And the short answer - all the fabrics you suggest sound fine to me! :-)

Hope that helps,
AJ

Thanks so much for your helpful answer, AJ! I agree about the pattern needing a certain degree of drape. Your tests to determine drape are very helpful.

I find it difficult to choose an alternative fabric when I'm not sure what the suggested fabric is because I've never encountered it!

Many thanks,
Teresa